Frameless tank vehicle



Jan. 7, 1936.

H. J. DILLON FRAMELESS TANK VEHICLE Filed March 28, 1934 '4 Sheets-Sheetl .3. we 2 C M I lNvENiIOR BY M 5 v 1936- H. J. DILLON FRAMELESS TANKVEHICLE Filed March 28, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 'VINVENTOR.

H. J. DILLON Jan. 7, 1936.

FRAMELESS TANK VEHICLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 28 1934 Jan. 7,1936.

H. J. DILLON 2,026,826 FRAMELESS TANK VEHICLE Filed March 28, 1964 4Sheets-Snack 4 l4 7 34 /4'6 45 44 y l! as Patented" Jan. 7,- 1936 I ammoSTATES PATENT OFFICE aczaszc FRAMELESS TANK VEHICLE Hugh Joseph Dillon,Highland Park, Mich. Application March 28,1934, Serial No. 717,804

21 Claims. (e1. 2804) My invention relates to improvements in ve- Fig.4, a rear end view of the vehicle disclosed in hicles provided with atank or similar tank mem- Figs. 1, 2, and 3; Fig. 5, a section of thevehicle her for supporting the load being transported; taken on the line5-5, Fig. 1; Fig. 6, a section of and the objects of my improvementsare, first, to the tank and its side compartments together with 5provide aframeless tankvehicle in which the tank its exhaust conduit.baffle, said section being 5 or similar member is used for supportingthe taken on the line 66, Fig. 1; Fig, 7, a substanpower andtransmission units which are used tially horizontal Section through thetank for transmitting the power to the driving axles or below itscompartments and above the chassis of axles of the vehicle; second, toprovide a vehicle the vehicle, said section being taken on the linehavingatank member constructed as an integral 1-|, said view disclosingthe supporting tank 10 unit extending throughout the total length ot-thebracket members of the tank unit in .full; Fig. 8. vehicle, the integralunit thus providing inherent a side view of the chassis and the portionsdisstructural strength for supporting thereon the closed in Fig. 7; Fig.9, a vertical section through power generating means of the vehicle;third, to the exhaust conduits and their baifle member..

provide a vehicle'with a tank or similar member said section bein ken onthe line 9-9, Fig. 7; 15 having its wall portions extended to form asup- Fig- 1 a Vertical on taken on the line Ill-l0, porting structurefor the power and accessory Fig. 7, said section disclosing the rearsupporting units of the vehicle; fourth, to provide a tank tank bracketsof thnsltank for connecting with unit for a vehicle having its wallportions exthe rear springs of the vehicle; Fig. 11, a. vertical :9tended to form the cab portion of the vehicle; section through the meansfor connecting the fifth, to provide a streamline tank unit for a torquemembers, of the front axle, with the tank vehicle; sixth, to provide avehicle having its unit,- said section being taken on the line Il-ll,exhaust conduit means protected by baflie means Fig. g. 12, a verticalsection of an alternato prevent the possibility of any'inflammable mative design of v l dy p ovi ed with a beam terial, which is beingtransported in a tank on structure extending lon itudinally similar tothat 25 the vehicle, from contacting the exhaust condisclosed relativeto the vehicle tank unit; Fig. duit means; seventh. to Provide a tankunit hav- 13, a vertical section through the front engine ing anexhaustconduit baflle so constructed as to s pp t m a 14, P a verticalsecprovide structural strength to the tank unit; tion through the cabcompartment taken on the eighth, to provide a vehicle having a' pair ofenline ll-M, Fig. 2, and Fig. 15, a side view of the 30 gine assemblieswith their exhaust conduits exsteering gear assembly mounted on the maintending longitudinally at the longitudinal center ame member. r thevehicle; ninth, to provide a, tank unit Similarnumerals refer tosimilarparts throughwith tank bracket members for supporting the o t theseveral views.

tank unit on the springs of thevehicle; tenth, to My i v n i h r withdisclosed with an 35 provide a tank unit with tank bracket membersarrangement of-two engines I and 2 together with forsupport ing units ofthe vehicle; eleventh, to their accessories and operative units foropera provide a vehicle having axle torque members tively connecting theengines with the rear axle operatively connected with portions of 9.tank assemblies A and B, tide-arr n ement of the two 40 member carriedby the vehicle; twelfth, to prce i es and th r ope tiv lv co nectedparts be- 40 vide a tank member with means for supporting ing similar tothe arran e disclosed in y a spare wheel in a compartment thereof; thir-U. S. application for Vehicle, Serial Number teenth, to provide avehicle with a tank unit 681,851, filed July 24, 1933, said engines andtheir having one of its compartments carrying fuel operatively c nn d pats. howeven-b hg su and operatively connected with the engines of the pr d n k unit r body 0 as hereinafter 45 vehicle; and fourteenth, toprovide a tank memdisclosed to provide a frameless tank vehicle.

her having a cab compartment with portions of The vehicle is providedwith the front axle asits floor forming a ramp member extending to asembly D which is similar to that disclosed and door at the front of thetank member. claimed in my U. S. patent application, Serial No. I attainthese objects by mechanism illustrated 681,84 filed July 24, 1 ndgrantedas Pat- 50 in the accompanyingdrawings, in whichent No. 1,995,500 onMarch 26, 1935.

Figure 1 is a side viewof the vehicle and its The front axle assembly Dis provided with a tank unit mounted thereon; Fig. 2, a plan view pairof axle beam members 3 and 4 connected of the vehicle disclosed in Fig.1; Fig. 3, a front at their ends by the bracket members 5 to form a endview of the vehicle disclosed in-Figs. 1 and 2; beam supporting unit onwhich are pivotally sup- 5 ported the spindle members 6 :whichoperatively support the wheel assemblies E and F which are provided withthe brake drums'l.

The front spring 3 is located between the axle beam members 3 and I andextends transversely to the longitudinal center of the tank or bodyassembly C and is connected to the bracket members 5 by the shackles 9.The front spring 3 is connected to the. spring seat Ill by the springclips II and the spring seat I0 is pivotally mounted on the pin I3 whichis suitably secured in the bracket I2 which is suitably secured to theflanges I3 as hereinafter disclosed. The torque member I5 is providedwith the upper and lower flange portions I 5A which are secured to theaxle beam members 3 and 4 by the bolts. I6 and the nuts IT.- The torquemember I5 extends diagonally rearwardly of the axle beam members 3 and 3to a point below the flanges I3 and where the diagonallyextendingportions unite in the ball end I52 which is pivotaliy connected to thebrackets I3 and I9 as more fully described hereinafter and as disclosedin Figure 11. i

The tank assembly C is disclosed as being constructed for thetransportation of liquids such as gasoline, fuel oil, milk and similarmaterials, and is provided with a suitable section to provide on itsouter surfaces streamline characteristics to gather provide a streamline'frameless tank ve- 'cle.

It is to be especially noted that I do not use in my invention aso-called frame assembly for supporting the tank assembly C on thechassis of the vehicle, the so-called and conventional frame assembly ofthe usual automotive vehicle being eliminated by constructing the wallportions of the tank assembly C so that they form a beam structureextending longitudinally approximately at the longitudinal center of thetank assembly C and the vehicle and in order to provide said beamstructure extending longitudinally at the longitudinal center of thetank assembly C of the vehicle, I utilize the material used forconstructing the walls of the tank assembly C and by extending themdownwardly from and at the center of the tank assembly C, a structure isformedhaving the vertical webs, flanges, or portions 20 together withthe flanges I3 extending substantially horizontally, for a portion ofthe length of the vehicle, from the web portions 23. In constructing thetank assembly C, the side wall portions 2I may be so formed and carriedaround at the bottom of the tank assembly C so that the wall portions 2imay have their opening edges brought together to form the vertical webs20, the

open edges of the vertical webs 23 beingfurther formed to provide thehorizontal flanges I4. The

vertical webs 23 may be suitably secured together by welding or byriveting or similar means. thus closing the open or bottom side of thetank assembly C'against leaks and at the same time providing asubstantial I beam structure which extends substantially forthe fulllength of the tank assembly C, thus not only providing a very rigid beamconstruction at the base of the tank assembly C for imparting rigidityand strength to the tank assembly C but also to provide meansforsupporting the engine assemblies I and 2 together with their operativelyconnected parts which are used for forming the driving connection withthe axles of the vehicle; Y

It is also to be especially noted that whereas I have provided aframeless tank vehicle in which a tank assembly C is provided with abeam structure extending longitudinally thereof for imparting greatrigidity and strength to the tank assembly C, I have also eliminated thetrouble that is frequently encountered in providing a tank or bodystructure which is separated from its cab portion at a pointsubstantially back of the front axle assembly, corresponding to aposition at' the rear of the cab and which thus imposes the greatestloads at a point which corresponds to the critically weak portion of theconventional frame which supports the tank or body of a vehicle unit,the elimination of said critical point in the support of theconventional frame and its tank and load being accomplished by formingthe tank assembly C so that its side wall portions extend continuouslyand integrally through its entire length, the wall portions of the tankassembly C being further extended to form streamline cloextending to theextreme front end of the vehicle.

The front tank brackets 22 and 23 may be suitably formed with curved orsimilar surfaces 23A to fit the contour of the wall portions 20 as indicated by the size and shape of "the particular tank assembly C desired,and may be suitably secured to the wall portions 2I of ,the tankassembly C as by welding, riveting or similar means, the front tankbrackets 22 and 23 being further secured at their inner ends to the-webs20 of the tank assembly C. The brackets 22 and 23 are provided withcurved surfaces 2|,in their iower flanges 23A, which fit the curvedsurfaces of the housings 25 and 26 of the engine assemblies I and 2. Theengine assemblies I and 2 are supported in the curved surfaces 24 by theinner brackets 21 which are suitably secured to the webs 23 of the tankassembly C by means of the rivets 23,

. said inner brackets 21 being further suitably secured to the innersupporting arms 23 of the engine assemblies I and 2. The housings 25 and230i the engine assemblies I and 2 are further supported in the .curvedsurfaces 24 by the outer sembly C and are renderedeasily accessiblerelative to the inside of the'cab compartment 32 located at the frontend of the-tank assembly C.

The engine assemblies I and 2 are further supported by the webs 23 atthe front end of' the tank assembly C by the brackets 33 which areprovided with the flanges 33 for attaching-to the webs 20 as by welding,riveting or other similar means, the bracket 33 extendingadjacent andcontacting the flanges 33 as by welding, riveting or similar means. Theouter portions of the brackets 33 extend under the crank shaftextensions 31 of the engine assemblies I' and 2 to support the ,blocksor members 33 which may be constructed of resilient material such asrubber composition or similar material, the blocks 33 supporting thelugs 33 which may be formed integrally with or suitably attached to theforward portions of the housings of the engine assemblies I and 2, theouter ends of the brackets 33 and blocks 33 and the lugs 33 beingsecured together by the bolts to and the uts ,the inner bolts 46 beingsuitably located as to enable the inner I and 2 will be supported inangular positions relative to one another and to the webs 20, the engineassemblies I and .2 being herein disclosed as having their cylinderportions 42 supported approximately at an angle of 35 from the verticalcenter line, the cylinder portions 42 extending upwardly through theapertures 43 in the lower wall portions of the cabcompartment of thetank assembly as disclosed in Fig. 5.

It is to be noted that the member 36 which is suitably secured to theflanges I4 will extend for substantially the greater portion of the webs20 and the flanges I4 and consequently the greater portion of the lengthof the tank assembly C, the securement of the member 36 to the flangesI4 constituting an added structural member which will greatly reinforceand impart rigidity and strength to not only the webs 26 which supportthe engine assemblies I and 2 in their operatively connected parts butalso to the complete tank assembly C.

The member 36, together with its downwardly I extending flange portions35 at its outer edges will form an inverted trough 44 which will extendfor substantially the greater length of the vehicle and provide a spacefor locating the exhaust conduits or pipes 45 and 46 which are connectedwith the exhaust manifolds 41 and 48 of the engine assemblies I and 2.The exhaust conduits 45 and 46 may be extended to the rear of thevehicle and thus provide means for conducting the hot exhaust gases fromthe engine assemblies I and 2 throughout the length of the vehicle tothe-rear thereof without danger of causing fire by igniting thegasoline, fuel oil or similar material being transported in the tankassembly C which may occur by leakage, etc., on the outside of the tankassembly C and which would otherwise fall on the hot exhaust conduits 45and 46.

It is to be especially noted that the member 36 will extend across thetop of the exhaust conduits 45 and 46 and should any drops or leakage ofgas, fuel oil, or similar fluids strike or fall upon the member 36 itwould be deflected outwardly and downwardly over the flanges 35 and soto the ground without contacting the exhaust members 45 and 46. Themember 36 and its flanges 35 thus constitute a baflie member above theexhaust conduits 45 and 46 together with the mufllers 49 and 50 whichmay also be constructed to assemble within the trough or space 44, themufflers 49 and 50 being suitably located in offset positions to permitthe construction of the proper size andshape of muiiler to fit withinthe space 44 as disclosed in Figs. '7 and 9. a

The radiator assemblies G and H are suitably mounted in uprightpositions at each side of the webs 26, at the center of the tankassembly C, and-are suitably supported by the members and 52 which maybe suitably secured to and supported at their rearward ends by themembers 5 53 and 54, the members 53 and 54 being suitably secured attheir inner ends to the webs 20 and at their outer ends to the bumpermember 55 which may be formed with a semi-circular or similar shape tobest conform to the shape of the cab compartment 32 and to provideproper streamline characteristics for the tank assembly C and thevehicle. The members 52 and 5I extend between the members 53 and 54 andare supported at their forward ends by the bumper member 55. Theradiator assemblies G and H will thus be positioned in the properangular position to best conform to the semi-circular shape of theforward side of the cab compartment 32, the forward wall'portion of thecab being provided with suitable apertures 56 and 51 topermit air, fromthe outside of the tank assembly 0, to be pulled or drawn through theradiator assemblies G and H by'the fans 58 which are suitably connectedwith and operatively driven by the pulleys 59 which are suitably mountedon the crank shaft extensions 31, the pulleys 59 and the pulleys 60ofthe fans 58 being operatively connected by the belts ill. The radiatorassemblies G and H are suitably connected at their upper portions withthe cylinder portions 42 by means of the flexible hoses 62 and with thelower portions of the engines I and 2 by the flexible hoses 63. The fanshrouds 64 may be suitably mounted on the radiator assemblies G and H toextend adiacent the fans 58 to permit the fans 58 to draw the airthrough the radiator assemblies G and H.

The engine assemblies I and 2 are respectively provided with the clutchhousings 65 and 66 suitablysupported thereon and supporting suitableconventional types of clutch mechanisms for operatively connecting theengine assemblies I and 2 with the transmission assemblies I and J whichare suitably supported on the clutch housings 65 and-66. v

The propeller shaft assemblies 61 and 68 are respectively connected withand supported at their front ends by the transmission assemblies I and Jand are supported at their rear ends by suitable bearing assemblies 69which are suitably supported by the brackets 10 which extend outwardlyfrom the webs 26 and from the wall portions 2| of the tank assembly 0,the inner race or portions of the bearing assemblies 69 being suitablysecured to the extensions II of the propeller shaft assemblies 61 and68. The propeller shaft assembly 12 is operatively connected with andsuitably supported at its front end on the exten- 'sion 1! of thepropeller shaft assembly 68 and is rear end on the shaft 13 which issuitably mounted in and connected with conventional pinion gears orsimilar driving means operatively connected with ring gears or similardriven means within the housing I4 of the driving axle assem Thepropeller shaft assembly 15 may be sultably mounted at its forward endon one of. the bearing assemblies 69 and its extension portion I6 maybesuitably mounted in another bearing assembly similar to 69 supportedby the bracket member 11 which may be suitably secured to one. of thewebs 26 and one of the wall portions 2I of the tank assembly C. Thepropeller shaft 7 assembly 18 is operatively connected with andsupported at its front end on the extension 16 of the propeller shaftassembly 15 and is operatively connected with and supported at its rearend on the shaft 19 which is connected with a driving pinion or similardriving means operatively connected with a ring gear or similar drivenmeans within the axle housing 80 of the driving axle assembly A. Therear driving axle assemblies A and B are respectively provided withconventional type of axle mechanism operatively connected with gearmeans suitably driven by the shafts I3 and T9, the rear driving axleassemblies A and B being provided with wheel assemblies K and L, thewheel assemblies K and L being provided with brake drums 8I.

The driving axle assemblies A and B are connected by the rear springs 82and 83 which are suitably secured to the brackets 84 by the spring clips85, the spacer member 86, and the nuts 81, the brackets 84 beingpivotally mounted on the shafts 88 which are suitably secured inbrackets which are in turn suitably secured to the rear tank brackets 89and 90 which may .be formed with curved surfaces 90A for fitting thecontour of the. side walls 2| of the tank assembly C, the rear tankbrackets 89 and 90 being further suitably secured to the webs 20 asdisclosed in Fig. 10. The rear springs 82 and 83 are pivotally connectedto the brackets 9| and 92 by means of the pins 93, the brackets 9| and92 being suitably secured to the driving axle assemblies A and B. Ifdesired the rear tank brackets 89 and 90 may be braced by the members 94which may be suitably secured at their outer ends to the rear tankbrackets 89 and 90 and at their inner ends to the webs 20 of the wallportions 2I of the tank assembly C.

It is to be noted that the driving axle assemblies A and B will bepivotally mounted on the shafts 88 whichwill allow the axle assemblies Aand B to oscillate about the shafts 88 and thus allow free operatingmovement of the driving axles A and B.

It is also to be noted that the propeller shaft assembly 18 will extendover the front driving axle assembly B with suflicient clearance toallow for the oscillating movement of the driving axle assembly Btogether with an oscillating movement 'of the rear driving axle assemblyA.

The webs 20 may be tapered at their lower sides as at 95 in Fig. 8 toprovide a better and more economical distribution of material towithst'and load stresses imposed on the tank assembly C, the flanges I4being inclined upwardly and the wheel assemblies F and E. The cabcompartment 32 will be provided with the frontal windows IM and the sidewindows I02 which .will be located for providing proper vision for thedriver while seated on the seat structure I03 which may be suitablylocated at therear portion of thecab compartment 32 and at itslongitudinal center.

The steering gear assembly I04 will be suitably mounted by means of thebracket I05 which is suitably secured to the webs 20 and the flangesblies I and 2. The hood members I06 and I0! may be suitably mounted toswing or pivotally move upward as desired when the driver desires toin-- spect or work on the engine assemblies I and 2. The inner wallportions I08 and I09 may be fixedly mounted to separate the spaceoccupied by the cylinders 42 from the passageway or walkway I I0 whichextendsbetween the engine assemblies I and 2 and further extendslongitudinally in the cab compartment 32 to connect the portion of thecab compartment 32 which is occupied by the seat structure I03 with thedoor III which is ,located at the front end of the cab compartment 32approximately at the forward and central portion of the cab portion ofthe vehicle. The door II I will be provided with the window 2 which willfurther provide for the vision of the driver, the 'door III furtherproviding access for the driver to enter or leave the cabicompartment,32 at the forward central portion of the vehicle.

In order to allow the escape of air from within the space covered by thehoods I06 and I01 and the wall portions I08 and I09, the cab portion ofthevehicle will be provided at its sides with the louvers II3 which willthus permit the air drawn into the space covered by the hoods- I06 andI0! and the wall portions I08 and I 09, by the fans 58, to be forced outthrough the. louvers I I3, thus permitting the air to escape from withinthe cab after it' has been drawn thereinto through the radiatorassembliesG and H.

The steering gear assembly will be suitably connected by the steeringreach rod II4 with the axle assembly D.

It is to be noted that the bumper 55 which forms a portion of and issupported by the tank assembly C will have a suitable shape to conformto the streamline shape of the cab portion of the vehicle and willextend around the front of the cab portion at its forward side, the rearends of the bumper member being suitably connected tothe front fenders91 and 98. The tank assembly C will be further provided with the sidecompartments H5 and H6 which are formed by the side walls I H which aresuitably connected to the sides of the tank assembly C and to the lowerwall portion I I8 connecting with the inclined inner wall portions II 9which extend upwardly and are suitably connected, by the flange portionsI20, with the webs 20, the inclined wall portions II9 being suitablylocated to provide clearance relative to the flanges 35 of the members36. The side compartments H5 and H6 will be provided with the doors I2Iwhich may be pivotally supported by the hinges I22, the doors I2I thusproviding access to the side compartments H5 and H6. The sidecompartments H5 and H6 will be suitably located to extend between andconnect with the rear ends of the front fenders 91 and 98 and the frontends of the rear fenders I23 which are suitably located to extend overthe rearwheel assemblies K and L. The side walls I" will be extendedforwardly to form the side wall portions I24 for connecting the bumpermember 55 and the side wall portions of the cab compartment 32, at thefront of the vehicle, thus completing the streamline closure at thefront end of the tank assembly C and the vehicle. Also the side wall II1 will be extended rearwardly to form the wall portions I25 forconnecting the rear bumper member I20 and the sides of the tank assemblyC.

The rear bumper I26 will be curved to extend around the rear end of thetank assembly C and will be suitably supported by being connected withthe side walls of the tank assembly C and the rear fenders I23. The rearbumper I26 may be further suitably connected if desired by additionalmembers extending to and connecting with the webs 20 or other convenientportions of the tank assembly C. The tank assembly C will be providedwith the separate tank or compartment I21 which may be located directlybehind the cab compartment 32 and if desired, the front wall portion ofthe tank compartment I21 may provide the rear wall portion of the cabcompartment 32. The tank I21 will be made of sufiicient size to carrythe necessary supply of gas or similar fuel for supplying the engineassemblies I and 2 for driving the vehicle. The tank compartment I21 issuitably connected by suitable conduits I15 with the engine assemblies Iand 2. The tank I21 may be provided with the filler member I28 to whichaccess is gained through the openirm I29 in the structural portion I30at the upper 1ongitudinal central portion of the tank assembly C. Themain or load compartment of the tank assembly C may be used as onesingle large tank compartment or may be subdivided as is required by thetype of loads to be transported. The compartments of the tank assembly Cmay be provided with the filler openings I3I and I32 and access isprovided with the openings I3I and I32 bythe openings I33 and I34; Theopenings I29, I33 and I34 may be suitably covered by hinged covers I35,I36, and I31, the hinges being indicated at I15, Fig. 2. a

To provide streamline characteristics around the members I3I, I32 andI28, the structure I30 is carried substantially through the length ofthe tank assembly C, the front and rear ends being gradually blendedinto the main portion of the tank assembly C to provide streamlinecharacteristics.

The tank assembly C is provided with the spare tire and wheelcompartment I38 at the rear of the tank assembly C, the spare tire andwheel compartment I38 being provided withthe door I39 locatedsubstantially at the rear central portion of the vehicle. The bracketI40 is suitably mounted on the front wall I4I of the spare tire andwheel compartment I38 and is suitably ,connected to the wheel portionI42 which supports the spare tire I42A, the spare tire, together withits wheel supporting member, thus being suitably carried within thespare tire compartment I38, within the tank assembly C.

The structure I30 is provided with the upper wall portion I43 and theside wall portion I44 and thus provides additional means for impartingstrength and rigidity to the cab compartment 32 and the main loadcompartment of the tank assembly 0, the side walls I44 being suitablyconnected to the upper or top wall portion of the tank assembly C. a I

It is to benoted that the openings 43 when formed in the bottom or floorportion of the cab compartment 32 of the tank assembly C will leaveunderside of the trough or space 44 through which portions I45 of theside wall portions 2I of the tank assembly 0, said portions I45remaining to extend forwardly to the front end of the cab, the frontportion of the remaining wall portions I45 being inclined downwardly andfor- 5 wardly to permit the end portions I46 thereof to fit adjacent andbe secured to the upper flange portions I49A of the front bumper member55. Thus a portion of the wall portions I45 will form a ramp or inclinedfloor portion as at I41 in Fig. 14 by which the driver, when enteringthrough the door III, may walk between the engine assemblies I and 2 andalong the passageway or walkway IIO to reach the seat structure I03. Theflanges I4 will also be suitably secured to the lower flange I48 of thebumper'member 55. Also if desired, the. web portions may be suitablysecured by the bracket members I49 to the vertical web portion of thefront bumper member 55, the bracket members I49 being suitably se- 20cured to the webs 20 andthe bumper member as disclosed in Fig. 14. Inorder to provide a place for the driver to place his foot when mountingthrough the door iII, the front bumper member may be provided with theopening I50, the web portions 20 being provided with the cut-awayportions 'I5I to provide room for the drivers foot as it is inserted inthe opening I50 disclosed in,

Fig. 14.

lhe opening 150 in the front bumper memher, together with-the cut-awayportion I5I adjacent' the door III which provides an entrance to a rampbetween a pair ofengine assemblies is similar to and represents amodified design of the cab and associated members as disclosed andclaimed in my U. S. patent application for Vehicle cab, Serial No.681,850, filed July 24, 1933.

In order to provide a suitable connection for the ball end I52 of thetorque member I5 at the extend the exhaust'conduits and 46, I provide apair of brackets or members I53 and I54 which when assembled togetherare provided with the openings I55 and I56 .therethrough for receivingthe exhaust pipes 45 and 46.

The brackets I53 and I54 will be suitably secured together by the studsI51 which extend through the bracket members I53 and I54 and aresuitably secured by the nuts I58 and I59, the bracket member I53 beingprovided with recesses I60 for receiving the nuts I59 therein.

Thus the studs I51 are secured in their assembled position by the nutsI58 and I59. and the bracket members I53 and I54 are secured onthe studby the nuts IGI.

It is to be noted that the brackets I53 and I54 will provide means forsupporting the studs I62 which extend through andv support the bracketsI8 and I9 which are provided with suitable socket portions for engagingand enclosing the ball pore. tion I52 of the torque member I5, thebrackets I8 and I9 being secured in their assembled positions by thenuts I65.

It is to be noted that the above disclosed structure will provide meansfor supporting the swivel .65 end of the torque member I5 and at thesame time provide means for readily disassembling the exhaust conduits45 and 46 when required.

It is to be noted that the member 36 need not extend forwardly of thefront end of the engine assembly unless it is desired or needed as astructure member to provide rigidity and strength to the forward part ofthe tank assembly C and the vehicle.

In Fig. 12, I disclose an alternative design by I means of which thewebs 20, together with their vided at the central portion of the openbody structure M, the body structure M being provided with the bottom orfloor wall portion I66 which correspond to the wall portions 2| of thetank assembly C. The wall portions I66 may be extended and connectedwith the side wall portions I81 and the side wall portions may beextended upwardly and provided with flangedportions I88. In the designdisclosed in Fig. 12 the use oi. the rear tank bracket members 88 and 88are dispensed with and the springs 82 and 83 together with the spacermember 86 may be secured by j the bolts or studs I88 together with theplate I",

the nuts 8'! and I'll) to the bracket "I which may be pivotally mountedon the pin I12 which is supported in the bracket I13 which is suitablysecured to the lower or floor wall portions I88 of the body structure Mby the rivets H8 or similar 'means, thus eliminating the use entirely ofthe conventional and separate frame structure as found in motorvehicles, the open body structure M providing the means for supportingthe various operative units of the vehicle in a similar manner to thatdisclosed in reference to the tank assembly 0 of my invention.

It is also to be understood that if it is desired to form the lower wallor portions of the tank assembly 0 with a shape corresponding to thewall portions 8 in Fig. 12 then the rear tank brackets 88 and 88 may bedispensed with and the springs 82 and 83 mounted substantially asdisclosed in Fig. 12.

It is to be noted that the rear fenders I28 may be supported by beingsuitably secured to the rear tank brackets 88 and 88.

It is to be noted that the I beam structure at the lower longitudinalcenter of the tank assembly C may be constructed by utilizing additionalreinforcing members attached to the vertical webs 28. Also if desiredthe web portions 20 may be constructed by suitably securing a structurehaving flanges to the bottom side of the lower wall portions 2| of thetank assembly C, said additionalmember being provided with the webportions 28. This alternative construction of the I beam structure maybe utilized if it is desired to make the I beam structure a separateunit secured to the wall members of the tank assembly C instead ofactually extending over the edges of the wall portions 2| to form said Ibeam structure. 7 v

I claim:

1. In a vehicle having a pair of engines together with driving andsteering axles each provided with resilient supporting memberstogetherwith power transmission mechanisms operatively connecting thedriving axles with the 'pair of engines, said steering axle comprising atorque arm mechanism, the combination of a tank assembly having a beamstructure extending longitudinal- 1y of and at the lower side of thetank assembly, support means connected with said beam struc-, ture andsupporting the power transmission mechanisms operatively connecting thedriving axles with the pairof engines, a pair of front tank tween saidpair of engines andsupporting the portions of the engines, means torseeming the engines to said beam structure, a pair of rear tank bracketmembers secured to the wall portions of said tank assembly and to saidbeam structure, said pair of rear tank bracket members being 5 connectedwith the resilient supporting members of the driving axles, pivot meansconnecting the resilient supporting members of the steering axle withsaid beam structure, and pivot means connecting the torque arm mechanismof the steering axle with said beam structure.

2. In a vehicle for transporting material and provided with powerdeveloping means, the com blnation of a tank member provided with a beamstructure connected to its bottom wall portion.15 and means forsupporting the power developing means on said beam structure andadjacent the sides thereof, said power developing means being supportedwith its axis located below the bottom wall portion of said tank member.20

3. In a vehicle having power developing means, the combination of a bodyassembly provided with load carrying and cab compartments, said bodyassembly being provided with a wall structure forming the lower wall ofsaid load carrying and 2.; said cab compartments, said wall structurecomprising-a beam structure, the portion of said wall structure formingthelower wall of said cab compartment being provided with openings topermit portions of the power developing means of so the vehicle toextend into said cab compartment of said body assembly, and means forsupporting the lower wall of an engine assembly on said beam structureof said wall structure forming the lower wall of said compartments.

4. In a vehicle having a pair of engine assemblies, the combination of atank assembly provided with a cab compartment having its lower wallstructure provided with a pair of openings to permit portions of theengine assemblies to extend-into said cab compartment, said cabcompartment having a portion of its lower wall structure located betweensaid pair of openings to form a walkway extending between said pair ofengine assemblies, and means for supporting the engine assemblies belowsaid lower wall structure of the cab compartment.

5. In a vehicle provided with wheels and fenders, the combination of atank assembly. bracket members secured to the bottom wall portion ofsaid tank assembly and each provided with an extension portion extendingover said wheels, said extension portions of said bracket members beingblies, the combination of. a tank assembly provided with a cabcompartment extending over the pair of engine assemblies, the floor ofthe cab compartment being provided with openings adjacent the pair ofengine assemblies, said tank assembly being provided w th .a structureextending befloor of the cab compartment, said portion of the floorextending between the pair of engine assemblies being inclineddownwardly and -forwardly to the front of the cab compartment, a doorsuitably mounted at the forward side of said cab-compartment adjacentthe inclined portion of said floor, a bumper member adjacent thelowerside of said door, said bumper member being, connected with andsupported by said. structure supporting the floor of said cabcompartment, a seat structure suitably mounted at the rear of said cabcompartment, and hood members suitably mounted in said cab compartmentand extending over said pair of engine assemblies. i

7. In a vehicleprovided with power developing means, the combination ofa tank assembly provided with an upper reinforcing structure extendinglongitudinallysubstantially at the top longitudinal center of the tankassembly, said tank assembly being further provided with a lowerreiniorcing structure extending substantially at the lower longitudinalcenter-of the tank assembly, bracket members secured to the bottom sideof said tank assembly and to the sides of said lower reinforcingstructure, and bracket members securing the power developing means tosaid lower reinforcing structure and to said first mentioned bracketmembers.

8. In a vehicle having power developing means, together with exhaustconduits extending therefrom substantially at the longitudinal center ofthe vehicle, the combination of a tank, and an inverted trough structuresuitably supported to extend substantially at the longitudinal center ofsaid tank, said inverted trough structure being spaced from the wallportions of said tank and extending over said exhaust conduits toprevent any leakage .irom said tank from contacting said exhaustconduits.

9. In a vehicle having power developing means and a tank, together witha pair of exhaust conduits extending from the power developing means andconnecting with a pair of muiiiers, an inverted trough structuresuitably mounted to extend over said pair of exhaust conduits and saidpair of muiiiers, said inverted trough structure being mounted in spacedrelationship to said pair of exhaust conduits and said pair of mufilers,said inverted trough structure being spaced away from and below the wallportion of the tank.

10. In a vehicle provided with engines having exhaust conduits connectedtherewith, the combination of a tank provided with a supportingstructure extending longitudinally substantially atthe center of thetank atits lower side, said supporting structure being provided with aninverted trough portion, and a pair of load compartments oppositelydisposed about the longitudinal center of said supporting structure ofsaid tank, said load compartments having their lower walls extendingangularly toward and connected with said supporting structure, theangular walls of said compartments extending over said exhaust conduitsand said inverted trough portion, said inverted trough portion beinglocated between said exhaust conduits and the lower walls of said loadcompartments extending angularly toward and connecting with saidsupporting structure.

11. In a vehicle, a tank assembly having its lower wallportions onlyextended to form a vertical web structure extending longitudinallysubstantially at the longitudinal center of the tank, said lower wallportionsbeing further extended to provide flanges oppositely disposedand extending from said structure.

12. In a vehicle having a torque member operatively connected with anaxle, said vehicle being further provided with power developing meanshaving exhaust conduit means extendingtherefrom, the combination of atank assembly provided with a beam structure extending longitusembly,said baill member extending over the exopenings for receiving theexhaust conduit means therethrough, said last mentioned means beingsupported by said baflie means and said beam structure of said tankassembly. 1

13. In a vehicle provided with power developing and transmitting units,a body having its 10 sides extended to form a "sole beam structureextending longitudinally substantially at the iongitudinal center of andat the lower side thereof, said sole beam structure having a substantialdepth and adapted to support the power developing and transmittingunits.

14. In a vehicle, a tank comprising a sheet 0! material folded to formacompartment having top, side and-lower walls constructed from saidsheet, said-lower walls being connected at the lower side of said tankto close said tank,. said lower walls being extended to form abeamstructure. having a vertical section extending longi-' tudinallyatthe longitudinalcenter of the tank and the vehicle, said beamstructure being pro- 2 vided with a. flange extending angularly relativeto said vertical section. I

15. In a vehicle, a tank comprisinga pair '01 compartments and a sheetof material "folded to provide top, side and .lower walls of said pair0.

of compartments, said lower walls" being connected at the lower side ofsaid tank to close said tank, said lower walls being extended toform abeam structure extending longitudinally below and at the longitudinalcenter of said pair of compartments of said tank, said beam structurebeing provided with a flange extending substantially in a horizontalplane, said beam. structure being adapted to absorb loads imposed onsaid tank at or adjacent the junction of said pair of compartments.

16. In a vehicle comprising power developing means, the combination of atank having lower walls extended to form a beam structure. extendinglongitudinally at the longitudinal center of said tank and the vehicle,bracket members connected to the lower walls of said tank and to saidbeam structure, and means for securing the power developing means tosaid'brackets and sai beam structure.

17. In a vehicle comprising a steering axle'and a driving axlemechanism, together with resilient means connected with each of saidaxle mechanisms, the combination of a tank member provided with a beamstructure extending iongitudinally at the longitudinal centers of thevehicle tion of'said compartments, a structure enclosing saidfiller-opening and extending longitudinally at the longitudinal centerof said tank and the vehicle, said filler opening in the top wallportion of said compartments being located wholly below the uppermostsurface of said structure, said structure havingits ends graduallydecreased in height to join the top walls of said tank, and a beamstructure. extending longitudinally at, the

19. In a vehicle, the combination of a vehicle comprising powerdeveloping means having exhaust conduits connecting therewith, thecombination of a tank having a beam structure extending longitudinallyat the lower side of said tank, and a member mounted on said beamstructure and extending over said exhaust conduitsto form a baflletherefor, said member further forming a reinforcing member to cooperatewith saidbeam struotureto add rigidity to said tank.

20. In a vehicle comprising a pair of engines provided with inclinedcylinders, the combination of a tank provided with a cab compartment,said tank having its lower side extended to form a beam structureextending longitudinally at the lower side of said tank and its cabcompartment and between the inclined cylinders of said pair of engines,the lower side of said cab compartment being provided with openingstherein to receive the inclined cylinders, said lower side of said cabcompartment having a portion of itswall portions extending between saidopenings and over said beam structure to form a '5 walkway between saidinclined cylinders of said pair of engines.

21. In a vehicle provided with a tank assembly, the combination of atank provided with a main compartment together with end compartments, 1said tank having rounded end portions provided with roof portionsinclined upwardly and inwardly to connect with the roof portion of saidmain compartment of said tank assembly, and a reinforcing beam structureextending longitudi- 15 nally at the upper side of said main compartmentof said tank assembly, said reinforcing beam structure having its endsinclined downwardly and outwardly to join the upwardly and inwardlyextending roof portions of the rounded end por- 20' tions of said endcompartments of said tank assembly.

HUGH JOSEPH DILLON.

